Simplicissimus, 1896

CommentaryThe satirical journal ›Simplicissimus‹ was founded by Albert Langen (1869-1909) and Thomas Theodor Heine in 1896. The aim of the »Simpl«, as it was soon known, was to criticize the government under the guise of satire and was thus exactly the opposite of ›Jugend‹, another journal of the same period. Individual issues were often banned, and in Austria even the magazine itself. Well-known contributors included Hermann Hesse (1877-1962) and Thomas Mann (1875-1955). With the red bulldog, Heine created one of the most radical designs of his time. Its focussed message and the associative power of its design made it one of the most abrasive posters of its day.

The satirical journal ›Simplicissimus‹ was founded by Albert Langen (1869-1909) and Thomas Theodor Heine in 1896. The aim of the »Simpl«, as it was soon known, was to criticize the government under the guise of satire and was thus exactly the opposite of ›Jugend‹, another journal of the same period. Individual issues were often banned, and in Austria even the magazine itself. Well-known contributors included Hermann Hesse (1877-1962) and Thomas Mann (1875-1955). With the red bulldog, Heine created one of the most radical designs of his time. Its focussed message and the associative power of its design made it one of the most abrasive posters of its day.